Part 7 (1/2)

A them Bobby made out Celia, a different Celia froht as ever; the biscuit brown of her colowed as smooth and clean; even from a distance Bobby could see the contrast of her black eyes; but on her head she wore a brown chip hat; her goas of plain blue gingha stockings She looked like a healthy, lively little girl out for a good ti else could His vague ideas of retreat were discarded

But he did not kno to approach The children inside the low rail fence were placing the brilliantly-striped wooden balls in a row in order to detereous last shot Bobby, irresolute, halted outside, shi+fting uneasily, wanting to join the group, but withheld by the unwonted bashfulness Aainst his ball, and ierness to see how near the stake he had coroup formed close A moment's dispute cleared Celia had won, and now stood erect, her cheeks flushi+ng, her eyes dancing with triu outside

”Why, there's Bobby!” she cried ”Come on in, Bobby, and play!”

At the sound of her voice, all his timidity vanished He entered boldly and joined the others

”This is Bobby,” announced Celia by way of general introduction, ”and this,” she continued, turning to Bobby, ”is Gerald, and Morris, and Kitty and Margaret”

”Hullo,” said Morris, ”Grab a mallet, and come on”

Bobby liked Morris, as a short, redheaded boy of jolly aspect

Gerald, a youth of perhaps twelve years of age, rather tall and slender, of very dark, clear, pale complexion, nodded carelessly Bobby took an iether too superior, and sleepy and distinguished--yes, and stylish Bobby was very young and inexperienced; but even he could feel that Gerald's round straw hat, and norfolk-cut jacket, and neat, loose, short trousers buckled at the knee contrasted a little more than favourably with his own chip hat, blue blouse and tight breeches Also he was already dusty, while Gerald was iaret, they were nice, neat, clean, pretty little girls--but not like Celia!

Bobby found a ame He was not skilful at it, and soon fell behind the others in the progress through the wickets Indeed, when, after two strokes, he had at last gained position for the ” the other way Gerald shot for his ball; hit it; and then, with a disdainful air, knocked Bobby away out of bounds across the lawn This was quite within the rules, but it edly away after his ball, he felt hiht a stake

”Skunked,” re, did not even look; but Bobby liked Morris's comment better than Gerald's assuaested Gerald to Celia

But Bobby, to his own great surprise, found courage to speak up

”Let's not play croquet any ame of Hi-Spy”

”It's too hot,” interposed Gerald quickly

The others said nothing, but with the child's keen instinct for the drama, had drawn aside in favour of the principal actors Gerald stood by the stake, leaning indolently on hisblack lashes down-cast over the dark pallor of his cheeks, very handsoraceful Bobby had drawn near on Celia's other side The comparison showed all his freckles and the unforure; it showed also the honest dull red of his cheeks and the clear unfaltering gray of his eyes Celia, between the her croquet ball with the tip of her shoe

”I don't think it's very hot,” she said at last, looking up ”Let's play Hi-Spy”

A wave of glowing triued his shoulders

But unmixed joy was to be a short-lived emotion with Bobby as far as Celia was concerned He knew lots of fine hiding-places about the grounds of the Ottawa, and he promised hiether; and that would be delightful

Morris counted out first to be ”it” He leaned his arainst his arm, and closed his eyes

”Ten-ten-double-ten-forty-five-fifteen” he repeated over ten ti a thousand

The other children scurried off as fast as their legs could carry them in order to reach concealainst his will, Bobby found himself cast in the hurry of the moment with Kitty instead of with Celia And Celia he saw disappear in Gerald's convoy

”Co his eyes

”Oh dear, he's co!” cried Kitty in distress, ”and we're not hid!